Arts & culture
Yangnim-dong Penguin Village Craft Street
양림동 펭귄마을공예거리
A hillside alley reborn in junk art
A once-derelict hillside neighborhood in Gwangju that residents turned into an open-air art village using discarded household objects. Now the alleys hold 40-plus craft ateliers and workshops alongside retro murals, penguin sculptures, and a J-Hope tribute wall. Come for the photo-ready lanes, stay to buy handmade pieces or try a hands-on craft class.
What to see & do
Retro mural alleys Narrow lanes styled in 70s-80s nostalgia, marked by a penguin signpost and the 'Good Morning Yangnim' wall.
J-Hope tribute mural A wall honoring BTS member J-Hope, a Gwangju native.
Themed photo spots Penguin Photo Studio, Penguin Garden, Penguin Tavern, and Penguin Hills double as exhibits and photo backdrops.
40+ craft studios Ateliers, leather, textile, and woodworking shops plus an art museum, many offering make-your-own experiences.
Eat & do here
- Silver Flower은꽃 A silver jewelry studio selling necklaces, bracelets, and brooches, where you can also make your own silver ring. Instagram
- Tessoro떼소로 A drawing studio in a remodeled hanok that paints on fabric for clothing, bags, and lampshades; hands-on sessions available. Instagram
- 10Y Ground10년후그라운드 A two-floor community complex in a former kindergarten, home to Cafe 1890 and Yeora Market stocking Jeolla-region goods. Website
- 6K Coffee육각커피 A coffee roaster on the uphill road to the missionary's house, named for Yangnim-dong's only six-way junction. Instagram
- Yunhoemae Cultural Center윤회매 문화관 A hanok tea house by artist Kim Chang-deok reviving the yunhoemae wax-plum-blossom craft, plus around 4,000 LP records. Website
- Yangjibaren양지바른 A gallery cafe selling art merch like self-made posters, blanket tapestries, vintage frames, and postcards. Instagram
Source: Korea Tourism Organization, “Korean Streets & Alleys” (2024). Rewritten for DealSeoul; details may have changed since 2024, confirm hours and openings before you go.
